Meagan just sent me these pictures of Noah helping Nathan hang lights and I knew you would love seeing them. (Isn’t Noah’s little tool belt/apron thingie the greatest?)
I had several people ask how to do the napkins fold we used for Thanksgiving so I am sharing the video that gave Sarah and I our ideas. The fold we ended up using was the Diamond Pouch fold. The only difference is that once Sarah got it folded, she looked on the back side of the fold and decided she like the way it looked better than the front side–so we went with it!
The folds are not as hard as you might think and having a video means you can go over and over it until you get it. (There is a fold for a Christmas tree that is especially cool.)
We will be in Charlotte from the 14th till the 17th and then will be in Florida till the 21st. To add to all the fun travel plans, Nathan is going to fly to Charlotte on the 15th and then drive back to Florida with Steve, Sarah and me. He and Steve can do all the driving and Sarah and I can loll around in the back seat together, eating peeled grapes and chocolate bon bons.
And speaking of offspring, while Sarah was home at Thanksgiving, we did a quick photo shoot for our Christmas card. None of these pictures has been edited so the lighting is a little off in some of them, but at least it gives you a glimpse into the Smith Christmas Card Photographic Session Overview 2017. (Or the SCCPSO17 for short.)
Right before the next photo was taken, Steve yelled out this favorite line from the George of the Jungle movie.
Obviously I didn’t quite get the memo but I enjoyed the fact that they were enjoying themselves so enormously.
Steve’s jolliness continued while Sarah transitioned back into her usual smiling, stunning beauty persona.
When I was going through the photos I was amused at the shots between the shots I discovered. Whenever I broke ranks to go look at the back of the camera to check poses, lighting, etc. I didn’t realize that my two photographic cohorts were standing stock still. I finally emailed Sarah to ask why they were so faithfully standing in one place and she said, “I think we were alternating between staring blankly at the camera as you were setting up and making comically serious faces.”
So there you have it.
Lastly, here is a photo of Noah and Madison with their other grandparents and an aunt and uncle and cousins. I am looking forward to seeing those sweet faces soon! (I especially love Madi’s expression in this photo.)
What about you?
Since we are on the subject of Christmas, do you have a favorite Christmas that stands out in your memory? It might be something recent or something from fifty years ago. Why was it so special?
Madison stands out in practically every photo she is in, she is just adorable, and it is her expressions that really stand out. It is great that Noah wants to help Nathan so much, that is the best way to learn, so many teens and young adults aren’t handy with anything these days.
You have a nice selection of photos to choose from for your cards. I too looked closely at the poinsettias and they look real to me, oh how I would love to have real poinsettias outside at Christmas! We hit 58 here early this morning (Michigan) and now the temp is down to 31 at midnight.
I can’t really think of a favorite Christmas, but I miss not having my Mom and Dad.
Kari,
You are so right about Madi; she is blessed with an expressive face–and a personality to match!
Last year Meagan’s parents got her and Nathan real poinsettias as a Christmas housewaring gift so I am assuming they have to be real this year, too. They sure are lovely! And you’re right, they wouldn’t be very happy in your 31 degree weather.
Those words, “I miss not having my Mom and Dad” are so sad and yet, filled with love. You can’t really miss someone unless you truly loved them. Hugs.
The Christmas that stands out would be 1993. I had moved back to Iowa and starting my new life after a divorce. The guy I’d been dating was helping around my new place and found I had no tools. For Christmas he gave me a toolbox full of tools. OK big deal – tools. He asked aren’t you going to look at them? Well, OK and buried in the bottom was an engagement ring and he proposed. The thing was I had made up my mind that I’d NEVER get married again, done my time. He said keep the ring and think about it. One day it dawned on me he was always doing sweet things, spoiling me, just all around making life more fun than anyone should have. I feel totally blessed the past 24 years being married to this wonderful guy.
Karen,
I am SO glad you decided to look at the tools and even MORE glad that you held onto that ring while you gave that sweet proposal some thought.
Good for you for being willing to give love a second chance; it sounds like you ended up with a wonderful, wonderful man. So very happy for you and these 24 years of joy.
I would be really hard-pressed to pick a favorite Christmas, however, the ones when our kids were young really stand out. I just loved seeing their joy and excitement. Sometimes we didn’t have much money so their gifts were sparse but they didn’t mind….that’s not what Christmas is all about and we made sure to keep their priorities in line. 🙂 And now we are getting to live that all over again with our grandchildren. They are 4, 4, 2 and 2 so they are really into it all and it is so fun! From Jesus to Santa….they are loving everything about Christmas! 🙂
Oh, also, the carpenter’s apron is so adorable on Noah and I love how he wants to be just like daddy! Are the poinsettias in those pictures real??? My goodness, they’re gorgeous!
LeeAnne,
Well, I know the poinsettias were real last year so I’m assuming they are this year as well. Nothing like making the front yard look very Christmas-y!
LeeAnne,
4, 4, 2, 2. I am just trying to imagine all the energy in the room with four children those ages.
Sounds like you all loved Christmas when your kids were small and love it even more now that your kids’ kids are old enough to start to take part. So sweet!
Pictures are great! One Christmas that sticks out recently is one of the last years we had it at my mom and dad’s house. It was 2014 or maybe earlier. Anyhow, I had bought a standing rib roast to fix. It took forever to bake. At some point my mom mentioned that it didn’t seem like her oven had been cooking properly. Anyhow, it finally got done and the day after I called the appliance repairman to get the oven fixed!
As far as favorite Christmas, any are good as long as we are all together – doesn’t have to be Christmas Day either. The ones when my two nieces and nephew were young were definitely fun – watching them open their gifts. Now it’s lots of gift cards, kind of ruins the surprise.
Phyllis,
You were brave to try to make a standing rib roast; I have never had the courage to attempt that particular dish. Glad it did get finished eventually! 🙂
I agree–gift cards are not quite as much fun as opening real presents.
All Time Christmas memory is kneeling beside Daddy and Mama’s bed Christmas morning all four of us praying before we could go in the room with the Tree and gifts. With four children that was quite meaningful and we never questioned Daddy telling us this would be done first. Thankful for Christian parents who showed us the true meaning of Christmas. Loved all the pictures!!! Enjoy your safe travels.
Ann,
I can just picture the four kids kneeling by the bed with your mom and dad. What a beautiful, precious mental picture your words have painted. You are blessed with such beautiful memories.
Maybe the non driving Smith Male @ the time of the peeled grape & bon bon eating they can hand feed you both?? You deserve it, right Steve & Nate??
Umm. Oh yea. Right!
Steve,
I didn’t think you would be too impressed!:-)
Jodi,
One can always dream, right?